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Whats the old good imac 27 inch to buy in 2021
- Thread starter Beejan181
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I'd recommend looking into the 2017 and above models. The reason being that the 2017 was the first to feature Thunderbolt 3. Having Thunderbolt 3 increases your expansion capabilities, from easily running a NVME drive at native performance (either as your boot drive or as a secondary drive) as well as being able to use an external graphics card. I believe the 2013 iMacs used Thunderbolt 1, while the 2015 iMac uses Thunderbolt 2 - double the speed of Thunderbolt 1, but half the speed of Thunderbolt 3.
I have a late 2015 iMac 27". I use Thunderbolt 3 devices with it but had to purchase a Thunderbolt dock in order to use a NVME drive, because all Thunderbolt 3 enclosures are powered off of the Thunderbolt port, but can't be powered from Thunderbolt 1 or 2 ports even with the adapter. This Mac also does not support external GPUs.
I have a late 2015 iMac 27". I use Thunderbolt 3 devices with it but had to purchase a Thunderbolt dock in order to use a NVME drive, because all Thunderbolt 3 enclosures are powered off of the Thunderbolt port, but can't be powered from Thunderbolt 1 or 2 ports even with the adapter. This Mac also does not support external GPUs.
Any as long as it has two things you need: a Retina display and a SSD.
so it means its been opened to update the internal mechanical drive to an SSD.
i was thinking to do it myself and get a 1tb external ssd to boot the system up.
Which year model are best for this i assume all the 27 iMac will have an upgradeable Ram by just opening the back small cover and adding new RAM??
can you please guide me
i was thinking to do it myself and get a 1tb external ssd to boot the system up.
Which year model are best for this i assume all the 27 iMac will have an upgradeable Ram by just opening the back small cover and adding new RAM??
can you please guide me
I recently upgraded from a 2014 iMac 27 to a 2019. The 2019 has a slow but usable Fusion Drive. Use that for additional storage, and boot off a USB-C SSD, and it's FAR quicker than my old Mac, a lot has changed in those 5 years or so....
Buy from the Apple online refurbished store.
I'd recommend the 2019 27" iMac.
Get 8gb of RAM.
GET AN SSD INSIDE. 512gb, 1tb, whatever you can afford. Even a 256gb SSD will do.
You DO NOT want to buy ANY iMac UNLESS it has an SSD inside, pre-installed from the factory !!!
I don't believe the refurbished store still sells 2017 iMacs, but they're fairly good as well.
Again, ONLY buy with an SSD "from the factory".
I'd recommend the 2019 27" iMac.
Get 8gb of RAM.
GET AN SSD INSIDE. 512gb, 1tb, whatever you can afford. Even a 256gb SSD will do.
You DO NOT want to buy ANY iMac UNLESS it has an SSD inside, pre-installed from the factory !!!
I don't believe the refurbished store still sells 2017 iMacs, but they're fairly good as well.
Again, ONLY buy with an SSD "from the factory".
I agree if you CAN get one with an SSD. However booting from a fast external is still practical if you can't get one. So agree in principle that an internal SSD, particularly on the newer machines, but I still get 50% faster read/write from an 1050mb/s USB-C SSD than my older (2014) internal SSD, so it's still a viable option. When I sell the 2019 iMac, I will keep the SSD and use it with my New M1X / M2 or whatever Mac when it's released.
You don't necessarily have to buy an iMac with an SSD already inside it. Obviously it's less of a headache, but it's not the end of the world if you upgrade it yourself.
Here is a bunch of DIY install videos that OWC has for a lot of the different Mac models. Take a look at them and decide for yourself if upgrading components is beyond or within your capabilities. A lot of folks have opened up their iMacs to replace GPUs, drives, et al. Scroll down to the iMacs and select the model and type of upgrade to install.
eshop.macsales.com
Buying a fully loaded iMac may cost you more than upgrading one yourself.
I would say that if you plan on using peripherals that use newer hardware, you will want to see if you can get one with a thunderbolt 3 port on it since everything is defaulting to that as the baseline these days. You can always get an adapter, but it will never function at it's true speed unless the computer has an equivalent speed port on it.
Here is a bunch of DIY install videos that OWC has for a lot of the different Mac models. Take a look at them and decide for yourself if upgrading components is beyond or within your capabilities. A lot of folks have opened up their iMacs to replace GPUs, drives, et al. Scroll down to the iMacs and select the model and type of upgrade to install.
OWC Install Videos
OWC's detailed step-by-step installation videos show you how to install memory, hard drives, and optical drives in your mac! You can also learn how to install a new battery in your iPod, or bring your old PowerMac up to speed with a processor accelerator!
eshop.macsales.com
Buying a fully loaded iMac may cost you more than upgrading one yourself.
I would say that if you plan on using peripherals that use newer hardware, you will want to see if you can get one with a thunderbolt 3 port on it since everything is defaulting to that as the baseline these days. You can always get an adapter, but it will never function at it's true speed unless the computer has an equivalent speed port on it.
Depends on the model as from 2015 the 1TB Fusion came with 32GB SSD only, not even enough room to install the operating system on. You have been advised to get one with an internal SSD. That is excellent advice from the fisho.
The previous posts should have made this clear already, but just in case, let's emphasize:
- the iMac has been available with factory installed SSD since at least late 2014
- fusion drive is not SSD only, it is a combination with small SSD plus large spinning drive
- folks here on these forums generally recommend against fusion drives, I agree with that recommendation
- don't worry about RAM, very easy to upgrade yourself after you purchase
- the suggestion to get 2017 or newer is probably a good one, for reasons stated earlier
You did not say what your budget is or what your use will be. With respect to responses to the points you've brought up so far, this is what I think you should consider.
I traded in a 2014 27" 5k iMac with i7 and 1 TB SSD for $530. Yes, I could have sold it for more privately, but I couldn't be bothered. The point is that it should be possible to buy an early 5k iMac that already has SSD for a reasonable price (like less than $1000).
The biggest issue for me with the 2014/2015 iMacs is that the edges of the screen get image retention (not burn-in) or a pinkish hue. But if you are not fussy about this then I think they are fine.
The biggest issue for me with the 2014/2015 iMacs is that the edges of the screen get image retention (not burn-in) or a pinkish hue. But if you are not fussy about this then I think they are fine.
I will be doing video editing 1080p to 4k on final cut pro but occasionally,
The imac will be used for browsing,playing games fortnite etc and kids school work including photo editing with LR or similar programme.
My budget is around 1 k
The kids currently use a 21.5 late 2013 imac i5 2.9 ghz quad core 8gb ram nvidia g force GT 750m 1 gb
( its an old imac but still does the job but gets a bit alow)
The imac will be used for browsing,playing games fortnite etc and kids school work including photo editing with LR or similar programme.
My budget is around 1 k
The kids currently use a 21.5 late 2013 imac i5 2.9 ghz quad core 8gb ram nvidia g force GT 750m 1 gb
( its an old imac but still does the job but gets a bit alow)
If you're looking to go from a 2013 to a late 2015 you may not see dramatic improvements in performance, although you will definitely have a screen upgrade.
You mentioned a late 2015 system with the m390 graphics card. As I had mentioned, I also have a late 2015 27" iMac, but I maxed out the graphics card (m395X). I've compared performance in Capture One (Lightroom alternative) to someone with a similar system but with the lower-end graphics card, and the differences were stark. For example, they experienced lag when adjusting images, whereas mine was entirely smooth. That's a huge user experience difference, and tangible time impact.
My two takes:
1) If you're going to spend the money to upgrade, make sure it'll really count. In terms of processor architecture, the jump from a 2013 system to a 2015 system is only one generation. That's still something, but you'd experience a more impressive boost by going with a 2017 (two generations) or newer system.
2) Spend money on the parts you will be stuck with, and upgrade the rest later. You can upgrade your own RAM, so unless you're offered a good deal to have it all, take a system with the minimum amount of RAM and upgrade it later. An internal SSD would improve performance, but you can get away with a smaller size and plan to make up storage space with external drives (whether external SSDs or hard drives). If you get a 2017 system or newer you can get an external GPU, otherwise get the best GPU you can because there's no going back. Having to add on all of these options and run them externally has the potential to become expensive and somewhat ruins the aesthetic Apple was going for with the iMac, but it'd extend the life and usefulness of your system.
Thanks
will be looking for an iMac 2017 or later model with SSD and a good graphics card.
is there a link which says what specs the iMac has in different years for me to search for the higher graphics cards in a 5k 2017 imac, will upgrade the Ram later, i assume the 2017 to 2019 iMac Ram can be upgraded by opening the back window just above the power cable. the iMac 2020 onwards lost this option for RAM upgrade.
just searched the GPU
will be looking for an iMac 2017 or later model with SSD and a good graphics card.
is there a link which says what specs the iMac has in different years for me to search for the higher graphics cards in a 5k 2017 imac, will upgrade the Ram later, i assume the 2017 to 2019 iMac Ram can be upgraded by opening the back window just above the power cable. the iMac 2020 onwards lost this option for RAM upgrade.
just searched the GPU
- 3.4GHz
Radeon Pro 570 with 4GB of VRAM - 3.5GHz
Radeon Pro 575 with 4GB of VRAM - 3.8GHz
Radeon Pro 580 with 8GB of VRAM
All 27" iMacs to date can be upgraded RAM easily.
Only 2020 27" iMac has 1080p camera. All others have 720p
support.apple.com
Only 2020 27" iMac has 1080p camera. All others have 720p
Identify your iMac model - Apple Support
Use this information to find out which iMac you have, and where it fits in the history of iMac.
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I don't know how much you follow the tech news, but keep in mind you're buying into a dying platform. You may want to give serious consideration to a new mac mini or wait a few months for a new low end iMac
well i do watch the news and as everyone not sure if apple will be changing the old imac design or even add an M1 chip.
will the 256 gb 2020 imac 5k or should i go for the 512 gb one which is 200 more expansive.
both have got the same GPU and processor, talking about the stock models.
what will you prefer, or should i wait and see for the new apple products.
will the 256 gb 2020 imac 5k or should i go for the 512 gb one which is 200 more expansive.
both have got the same GPU and processor, talking about the stock models.
what will you prefer, or should i wait and see for the new apple products.
Well, your first post says: "just looking for a 27 inch used / refurbished imac, which old models are good for your money," and now you are considering "2020 imac 5k" and "should i wait and see for the new apple products."
So it seems you are all over the map, and don't know whether you want old, new, cheap ,expensive, now, or later.
It's fine to be undecided, but in which case I suggest you wait until the options become clearer.
So it seems you are all over the map, and don't know whether you want old, new, cheap ,expensive, now, or later.
It's fine to be undecided, but in which case I suggest you wait until the options become clearer.
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I'd go with a 2017 model with as high a spec as you can afford. You can still run High Sierra or Mojave on it and completely bypass Crapalina and Big Suck. It should still run whatever Apple pulls out of it's ass as the next OS, and hopefully they'll regain their senses and let the software engineers start making the decisions instead of the marketing bean counters.
well thanks for your replies,
its right i started to first upgrade my old late 2013 21.5 imac which is the middle spec from factory.
i started to look for as this one is getting old but still works for what the kids want for browsing and basic home use.
This is going to be offloaded to get some money to be added to the new one.
I started to look for a 2015 -2017 with high specs but the price was pretty nearer to the imac 5 k 2020 base stock models.
i thought after reading to go for the 2020 imac with 256 gb or 512 gb ram and decided to go for the 512 gb one.
i was just about the pull the trigger bur my c/c did not work.
So now i will wait for couple of months and wait for the new Imac if it comes otherwise i am more inclined towards the 2020 with 512 gb ram and 4 gb radeon graphics cards.
i will keep searching for a higher spec 2017- 2020 if i can find one in case apple don't announce the imac upgrade which is the case for the last couple of years.
its right i started to first upgrade my old late 2013 21.5 imac which is the middle spec from factory.
i started to look for as this one is getting old but still works for what the kids want for browsing and basic home use.
This is going to be offloaded to get some money to be added to the new one.
I started to look for a 2015 -2017 with high specs but the price was pretty nearer to the imac 5 k 2020 base stock models.
i thought after reading to go for the 2020 imac with 256 gb or 512 gb ram and decided to go for the 512 gb one.
i was just about the pull the trigger bur my c/c did not work.
So now i will wait for couple of months and wait for the new Imac if it comes otherwise i am more inclined towards the 2020 with 512 gb ram and 4 gb radeon graphics cards.
i will keep searching for a higher spec 2017- 2020 if i can find one in case apple don't announce the imac upgrade which is the case for the last couple of years.
If you are not in a hurry and don't have a specific need for an Intel CPU, you best bet is to wait. Otherwise, the 2020 27" iMac is the probably best choice.
However, there is a major difference between the 2020 and earlier iMacs you should be aware of. The earlier iMacs are pure Intel machines, the 2020 iMac is not. Like the iMac Pro and MacBook Pro, it has an ARM co-processor called the T2. It is called a "security chip" but it is a 64bit ARM co-processor based on the A10 that was in the iPhone 7. This has some advantages such as faster SSD, faster encryption and hardware support for various codecs. However, it also makes the 2020 iMac more proprietary like the M1 Macs. It includes a secure boot loader so replacing MacOS with Linux could be a challenge. Aside from MacOS, the only OS you can boot is Windows 10 using Bootcamp.
The other T2 problem is the operating system running on the T2 sometimes causes MacOS to crash on the main Intel CPU.
2020 iMac is nice machine, but do not buy it if you plan to do any kind of upgrade. For me the best choice is 2017, it has pretty much everything you need and can be found at acceptable price. M1X iMac will definitely be a noticeable upgrade but it is still not sure at what price.